A new release of cello works by Haflidi Hallgrimsson is now available on the Ondine label. The celebrated Norwegian cellist Truls Mørk is known as a tireless champion of the best contemporary music. On this release, he portrays the Icelandic composer Haflidi Hallgrimsson – himself a professional cellist – with his two works for cello and orchestra. Truls Mørk is joined by the forces of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, one of the finest ensembles of its kind, under the direction of John Storgårds. This CD includes the first commercial recording of the Cello Concerto, which Hallgrímsson dedicated to Mørk in 2003. Ever since, he has championed the work in a number of performances across Europe to great acclaim; while The Times called it, “a remarkable new addition to the cello repertoire… one of his [Hallgrímsson’s] finest work to date…” (Hilary Finch, The Times, 28 January 2004), Scotland’s Herald spoke of “a work of haunting beauty” (Michael Tumelty, The Herald, 26 January 2004). The disc also includes a recording of Herma.
